PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The crew of the Portsmouth-based U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907) returned home on Monday, following a 52-day patrol in the Florida Straits and Windward Passage.
During its patrol, the Coast Guard said the Escanaba contributed to the interdiction and repatriation of more than 100 migrants from Haiti and Cuba. It was part of Homeland Security's "Operation Vigilant Sentry," which officials said aims to disrupt and prevent unlawful migrant flow and human trafficking.
"This is Escanaba’s first patrol this year," said Cmdr. Jared Silverman, commanding officer of Escanaba, in a news release. "The crew responded exceptionally to this extremely challenging mission; they handled each and every migrant with respect and care, and truly embodied the Coast Guard’s humanitarian mission."
